Google revealed new details about Project Ara on tuesday in a developers conference.
The conference’s purpose was to give developers a better understanding of Google’s Android-powered modular smartphone and how they can take advantage of the platform.
The Ara mainly consists of a metal endoskeleton, acting as the spine of the phone, and slots for components known as modules, which are also replaceable. These modules can include anything from processor, RAM, WiFi, power jack, display and battery, as well as modules like your camera and speakers.
Each module will connect to the other working parts through capacitive interconnects, which are essentially wireless pads that are smaller than standard pins. Electropermanent magnets not only hold modules in place, but they also act as a toggle switch, which allows you to easily turn that element on and off. As you might already imagine, all modules can be swapped out at your convenience. ATAP (Google’s Advanced Technology And Projects group) said that it plans to launch Ara in 3 sizes starting with a six-module model to a larger screen model with more modules to add.
Project Ara is halfway through and should be ready to ship next January as per Paul Eremenko, head of Project Ara. Eremenko also said that Android will be updated in December, prior to the release of the phones, to support Ara’s modular components. The first released phone will be a “gray phone,” which will cost developers about $50 to make.
